I planted a seed from 2007 saved seeds on 27 March 2008. The plant is up and thriving. This is about 10 days for germination. I did nothing to the seed, simply planted it in a container with a clear plastic cover, and forgot it. The seeds were left in the unheated shed all winter, but I don't know if this had any effect on germination or not.

sweetnuts wrote:I saved seeds from my castor beans plants, kept in fridge for the winter, some just in the storage room, planted 10 Feb. 9th/08/ nothing growing yet. Oh yes , I soaked some overnight in water before planting. I tried unsuccessully last year with no luck. Anyone have suggestions. thanks

Hi to all you Castor Bean Growers,

I have been growing Castor Beans from seed for many years, no problem

I soak the seed in water for 4 days untill the seed swells. I planted my seeds April 5th and had sprouts April 8th.

These seedlings will be lots big enough to plant outside by end of May .

This has been an interesting thread. I would never have thought the castor bean seeds would still be viable after being frozen. As I mentioned in another post I sowed my seeds Mar 31. I soaked them in warm tea for 24 hrs and they germinated April 5.

Hello Big Smile, just read your post, you soaked beans for 4 days and then planted, like April 4th and they sprouted April 8th so I will try that method, soaking for 4 days, like I said before have plenty to play around with. thanks for your post....wish me luch.

patty wrote:This has been an interesting thread. I would never have thought the castor bean seeds would still be viable after being frozen. As I mentioned in another post I sowed my seeds Mar 31. I soaked them in warm tea for 24 hrs and they germinated April 5.

I too had some castor bean seeds in my shed one year that I planted and they grew.

This year I tested some scarlet runner beans from some pods that were still on the dried up vine from last year. They have germinated so since I had forgotten to buy fresh ones this year I found some more and will be using them for this year.

sweetnuts wrote:Hello Big Smile, just read your post, you soaked beans for 4 days and then planted, like April 4th and they sprouted April 8th so I will try that method, soaking for 4 days, like I said before have plenty to play around with. thanks for your post....wish me luch.

Hi sweetnuts,, good luck with your seeds. It will work! My Castor Bean seedlings are now 5 inches tall.

patty wrote:This has been an interesting thread. I would never have thought the castor bean seeds would still be viable after being frozen. As I mentioned in another post I sowed my seeds Mar 31. I soaked them in warm tea for 24 hrs and they germinated April 5.

I too had some castor bean seeds in my shed one year that I planted and they grew.

This year I tested some scarlet runner beans from some pods that were still on the dried up vine from last year. They have germinated so since I had forgotten to buy fresh ones this year I found some more and will be using them for this year.

Betty, last year I wondered if it was possible I had a couple scarlet runner beans reseed and grow in my garden, and your post kinda confirms that possibility. I had a couple grow off to the side where I planted new ones, and as they were growing I scratched my head and asked myself why would I plant them so far from the wall; then of course thought, just maybe, they were seeds from last years plants.

as of to day not one castor bean has sprouted. My last attempt was as suggested, soak beans for 4 days,then plant, this was not successful. After reading an article in an old 1947 gardening book, it could be that I am in zone 4 and even though I let the seeds dry on the plant before picking and keeping in fridge overwinter etc etc they will not germinate in the spring,so as one of you suggested when saving seeds in the fall is crucial, I purchased seeds from Vesey's and they are all up and doing well.The 50 beans from last year are history.thank you all for your input, thats why we love this site.

sweetnuts wrote:as of to day not one castor bean has sprouted. My last attempt was as suggested, soak beans for 4 days,then plant, this was not successful. After reading an article in an old 1947 gardening book, it could be that I am in zone 4 and even though I let the seeds dry on the plant before picking and keeping in fridge overwinter etc etc they will not germinate in the spring,so as one of you suggested when saving seeds in the fall is crucial, I purchased seeds from Vesey's and they are all up and doing well.The 50 beans from last year are history.thank you all for your input, thats why we love this site.

Hi Sweetnuts, glad to hear you got some seeds to sprout. I always save my own Caster Bean seeds and have no problem with sprouting. It seems strange that your seeds do not sprout if they are ripe and dry.